Promise Phelon knows the sting of rejection—but she also knows its power to fuel success.
According to Forbes, the founder and managing partner of Growth Warrior Capital, a Charlotte-based venture firm, has secured $26 million from investors including Bank of America, Pivotal Ventures (founded by Melinda French Gates), and the George Kaiser Family Foundation.
The fund is dedicated to supporting “dangerous founders”—seasoned, underestimated entrepreneurs who excel in industries often overlooked by traditional venture capital.
From Setback to Strength: Phelon’s Entrepreneurial Journey
Phelon’s journey to venture capital was forged through challenges. As a rising executive at BEA Systems, she once found herself unprepared for a high-stakes boardroom question, an experience that taught her the unforgiving nature of business.
That lesson stayed with her, shaping her approach as she rose to CEO of TapInfluence, a social media influencer platform that later sold to IZEA Worldwide for $7.6 million.
A natural entrepreneur from childhood, Phelon triple-majored in chemistry, religious studies, and marketing at Southern Methodist University and later earned her MBA from Pepperdine University.
Her drive for innovation led her to launch Growth Warrior Capital in 2020, recognizing the potential in founders often overlooked by mainstream investors.
Backing the ‘Dangerous Founders’ Revolution
With investments of up to $3 million per company, Growth Warrior Capital has already built a portfolio of 11 startups, including AI-driven companies like Capitan, which raised $104 million, and ForceMetrics, an AI platform designed to assist first responders. Phelon’s focus is on entrepreneurs with deep industry experience who bring resilience and resourcefulness to sectors like manufacturing, mining, and recycling.
“They’re great at doing more with less,” Phelon says. “You don’t expect them to be dangerous. They learn a lot, and they learn it quickly.”
Phelon’s strategy aligns with the booming AI market, valued at $150 billion, according to Goldman Sachs. She categorizes AI investment into three layers: foundational large language models (like OpenAI and Anthropic), connectivity solutions linking data to AI systems, and application-driven companies such as ForceMetrics, which leverage these innovations to create impactful solutions.
Her approach has garnered support from notable investors, including Seth Levine and Brad Feld, co-founders of the venture firm Foundry.
A Vision for the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
Phelon’s commitment extends beyond capital—she’s shaping a movement. Appearing on The Enterprise Zone, a Forbes business show recorded at the Nasdaq MarketSite, she shared insights into Growth Warrior’s mission and the evolving landscape of venture capital.
For Phelon, investing in underrepresented founders isn’t just about returns—it’s about rewriting the narrative of who gets funded and why.
“I love being an entrepreneur,” she says, “but I also love having options.”
With Growth Warrior Capital, she’s ensuring that more entrepreneurs have those options, too.
